A 29-year-old woman was brutally murdered in Yellapur taluk of Uttara Kannada district on Saturday, while the prime accused was found dead the following day in what police suspect to be a case of suicide.
The deceased woman, identified as Ranjitha Bhanasode, was attacked while returning home from work on Saturday afternoon. The accused, a 30-year-old man from Kalammanagar in Yellapur, had been absconding since the incident. His body was discovered hanging from a tree in the Ramapur forest area on Sunday morning.
Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police Deepan N said investigations revealed that the accused and the victim had known each other since school and were in regular contact. Ranjitha, who worked as a kitchen helper at a government school in Rampur, had reportedly rejected the accused&rsquo;s proposal for marriage, following which she cut off communication with him.
Police said the rejection allegedly triggered resentment, leading the accused to intercept Ranjitha and attack her with a sharp weapon. She was initially taken to a local hospital and later shifted to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi, where she succumbed to her injuries.
Ranjitha had been living separately from her husband for several years due to marital disputes and was later divorced. She is survived by a 10-year-old son.
The accused was booked under Section 103 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder. Following his death, police registered an Unnatural Death Report.
The incident triggered protests in Yellapur, with several organisations alleging deterioration of law and order. A bandh was observed on Sunday, prompting police to deploy additional forces and tighten security in the town.
Political reactions followed, with BJP state president B Y Vijayendra demanding compensation of ₹50 lakh and two acres of land for the victim&rsquo;s family, along with an immediate financial aid of ₹5 lakh.

Yellapur woman murder (Representative Image)

Rejected marriage proposal led to killing; prime accused found dead in forest

Woman Murdered in Yellapur, Accused Dead

Rejected marriage proposal led to killing; prime accused found dead in forest

January 5, 2026 | 10:22 IST